Sessions

Sessions last 50 minutes. There is no requirement to commit to a particular number of sessions.

Your initial consultation

Finding the right therapist is crucial. The initial session is an opportunity to discuss your hopes for counselling, see what it would be like to work together, and assess whether we both think that we’re a good fit. If I think I’m not the right therapist for you, I’ll be upfront about it. And I’ll invite you to do likewise.

Your ongoing sessions

Sessions are scheduled at an agreed time on the same day of each week. As required, and as possible, we may agree to meet more than once a week. I generally do not offer less frequent sessions.

Please arrive on time, rather than early. Do let me know if you will be more than 10 minutes late.

You may find it useful to allocate time immediately following each session to reflect, before returning to your regular activities.

Ending therapy

You may end therapy at any time simply by letting me know. Endings are important to get right, and final sessions are best agreed in advance.

Confidentiality and ethical practice

I am bound by the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions, which includes strict guidelines regarding confidentiality.

Everything you discuss with me is confidential. Nevertheless, there are specific conditions which you should be aware of:

1. I may discuss aspects of our conversations with a clinical supervisor in order to support my work with you. Your identity will always be anonymised, i.e. no personally identifying information will be shared, and the supervisor will have an equivalent confidentiality policy.
   
2. Confidentiality may be broken if I believe there is plausible risk of harm to yourself or others. Unless there are overwhelming safeguarding or ethical concerns that prevent me from doing so, I will always attempt to speak to you about this first so that your perspective is heard.
   
3. I am legally obliged to break confidentiality without prior notice in three specific cases: terrorism, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

Accessibility

An external flight of stairs (with handrails) is at the entrance to my consulting room, which is on the first floor of the building. Let me know if you require assistance in navigating these.

Your details

Once we have an agreement for ongoing therapy, I will ask you to provide the following, in case I’m ever concerned for your health or safety and need to help you get support:

• An emergency contact
• Your GP details
• Your date of birth

Payment

Payment must be made before the session (by payment link) or within it (by card). I do not offer sessions paid in arrears.

If possible, I ask that you always pay one week in advance. This means a double payment for the first session, and no payment for the last.

Cancelled or missed appointments

Payment is due for sessions you cancel with less than 48 hours notice.

I understand that life is unpredictable; if I have the availability I will attempt to offer you a rescheduled alternative.

Please give me advance notice of any holiday you have planned. If your break is three weeks or more, we may need to find an alternative session time on your return.

I aim to give you at least four weeks notice of any break I may take.

Communication outside of sessions

You are of course encouraged to bring your needs, distress, or concerns into therapy – without filter or constraint. In return, I ask that any contact outside of our sessions is limited to practical matters such as rescheduling or cancellations.

Also, it is helpful for us to agree how you’d like me to respond if we cross paths in public. In general, I’ll take your lead and wait for you to acknowledge me first, in respect of your privacy and comfort.

Safety, substance use, etc

I cannot allow inappropriate physical contact, violence, or abusive behaviour, and reserve the right to end or refuse our work together at my discretion.

Furthermore, I ask that clients do not attend sessions under the influence of alcohol or substances, as this can affect the safety and effectiveness of the work we do together.

Privacy notice

Please see my Privacy Notice regarding use of personal data.